The demand for biological bone tissue in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine for the research, modeling and study of pathologies is becoming more common. However, there are limitations for the achievement of natural pineapple, such as high cost, degradation of samples, biological risk, storage capacity, biological variability, etc. In this context, synthetic bone substitutes arise as an appropriate alternative to solve this problem.

Substitutes also have limitations that make them deficient to replace natural human bone tissue. In the face of this situation, the 3DBBT project was born to work on the generation of a new product that is located as a paradigm in the design of 3D human bone models, with higher performance than current competences and offering new research and biomedical applications scenarios for an immediate future.

The main objective of 3DBTT is to solve the different problems raised in the sector, developing a new synthetic model of human bone that has benefits with respect to existing substitutes. The first step has been to identify the characteristics that make current options deficient as substitutes for natural human bone tissue: a low level of morphological biomesis, non -biocompatible materials in their composition and far from the real level of harsh harshness of the human bone and a restricted representativeness of the population, since these models are very simplified representations.

For this reason, they will first work with a biomimic and parametric design of a human model with ultra-high resolution, which has a realistic definition in their microarchitecture. In this way, the model will faithfully represent the cortical fabric (Having and Volkmann channels, osteones with laminates and interlaminar space, interstitial space) and trabecular (density, porosity and general orientation with respect to load lines) with the corresponding inherent microstructures.

The next step will be the manufacture of a high resolution 3D printing equipment with a gradual photopolyproof that allows you to control different degrees of rigidity (through gradual photopoLimerization) of the manufactured piece and, therefore, generating a model with a maximum degree of biomesis in relation to human bone tissue. The final advantage is the design of a biocompatible bone biomaterial that has the same biomechanical properties of the natural human bone.

In short, the aim will be to develop an innovative system of human bone design and manufacture through 3D printing that has an impact on the biomedical sector, positively affecting various strata of personalized medicine, and revolutionizing the industry of synthetic bone substitutes.

Strategic collaboration

The 3DBBT project is possible thanks to the collaboration and participation of six participants who make up a multidisciplinary team: two AEI clusters (MAV cluster) and Catalan Association of Biotechnology Companies and Health Technology - Catalonia.Health), a new developer of new materials. a SME engineering specializing in the design and development of medical devices and technologies (Perdigó Medical S.L.- Perdigó) and two research bodies (Private Foundation Elisava Escola University- Elisava), and another expert in 3D printing research (CIM CIM- CIM UPC CIM).

The action is part of the call corresponding to 2024 of the grants established for the support of Innovative Business Groups (AEI) of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism. It enrolls in its line 3. Digital technology projects, specifically, industrial research activities with a duration of 12 months (1/08/2024 - 08/07/2025), a total budget of € 408,877.76 for 13,757 hours of dedication of the technical staff involved5.